Theartofinfusion produces a tough win

GOOD BATTLE: Jason Grimson urges Theartofinfusion (#2) to give down the home straight at the Bathurst Paceway. He went on to win by a half-head in an exciting finish.

Anya Whitelaw Photo

While harness racing driver Nathan Turnbull was unable to make it three consecutive Cathedral Parish Cup wins in succession on Friday night, he still had something to smile about at the Bathurst Paceway.

It was the tough front-running performance that saw Theartofinfusion post his first win in over four months.

Friday night marked the sixth edition of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club's Cathedral Parish Night meeting, one at which trainer-driver Turnbull had enjoyed good success in the past.

He won the 2017 and 2018 editions of the feature Cathedral Parish Cup with Sams The Master and Parramatta respectively.

In this year's cup he only managed ninth driving $51 outsider Major Score for his trainer-father Steve Turnbull, but by that stage Nathan Turnbull had already enjoyed a success story.

He watched on track side in the opening race - the MacKillop College Pace (1,730 metres) - as Jason Grimson drove Theartofinfusion to an impressive win.

Going from barrier two as an $8 chance, Theartofinfusion managed to cross and take the lead then blazed through the opening quarter in 26.6 seconds.

Theartofinfusion kept the tempo up, clocking 55.5 through the first half, and at the 400m he held a 3m lead over $2 favourite Juice Brodgen.

Down the home straight they came at Theartofinfusion, Big Bill attacking along the sprint lane and Juice Brodgen on his outside.

With 100m to go Big Bill poked his head in front, but Theartofinfusion managed one final kick. It was enough to hand him a narrow half head win in a 1:53.4 mile rate.

While Nathan Turnbull missed out in the feature race, it was still a success story for the Turnbull family.

Jason Grimson

His younger brother Mitch Turnbull increased his lead in the Bathurst club's junior driver premiership as he won aboard Courtsinsession ($1.60 favourite) in the Cathedral Parish Cup (1,730m).

It made it five wins from seven starts this season for the runner from Steve Turnbull's Radiant Lodge team.

It was yet another tough run from the Art Major x Maudie gelding, who ran the entire final lap three-wide after going from barrier 10.

He surged to the lead into the home turn, covering the third quarter of the mile in 27.6 second split.